Disclaimer: I do not own the Tudors.
Chapter Eighty-Seven: Common Ground.
11th of August 1535 - Hampton Court Palace
Looking through the paperwork that she had been handed, Queen Anne could not believe how long she had been regent for; she had never assumed that Henry would be out of the country for this long. A part of her was relieved that she did not have to deal with her husband at times, she loved the peace that she had achieved in his absence and she was sure that her actions had ensured that her regency had been smooth. The doors to her presence chamber opened and Anne did not lift her eyes from her work, she kept on reading and signing her name where needed knowing that Cromwell needed some of these papers by that afternoon.
"What news?" Anne asked not looking up from her papers, she wished to get them finished in time so that she might enjoy a stroll around the gardens; the flowers looked beautiful this time of year and she longed to spend some time with her children. Alexander and Elizabeth were doing well with their lessons, Anne had instructed that her children be taught languages and further their education than previously. It had been her intention that Alexander would be taught Danish while Elizabeth would be taught Swedish, especially with the announcement of their betrothals; it would not do in her mind for them both to not be prepared.
"The Duchess of Richmond has been blessed with a very healthy son," Lady Elizabeth Ughtred announced with a low curtsy, she sounded a little out of breath having rushed from the Duke of Richmond's apartments to share the news. The Duchess had gone into labour the day before and prayers had been said in hopes that her delivery would be an easy one.
"We must send our congratulations to my stepson, it is wonderful news indeed," Anne stated pausing in her work, she would be sure to send such news to her husband knowing that the birth of a healthy grandson would be welcomed. While the boy would never be seated upon the throne, it was always good to welcome a child into the world and it proved further that Henry's children were of fertile stock.
"The Duke has announced his desire for the child to be named for Her Grace's father," Lady Elizabeth stated softly, she had no doubts that the decision had been made in hopes of appeasing the Duke of Norfolk. It had been noted that he had been rather displeased by the news that despite his orders, the marriage between Fitzroy and his daughter had been consummated and had produced a child.
"I am sure that my uncle will be most pleased," Anne replied with a sigh, she recalled her uncle's very visit to her when he had learned of what had happened; his orders that she punish Fitzroy for impregnating his daughter. The very fact that Mary was thrilled with her pregnancy and showing it off once they had the Queen's backing, did very little to sooth his temper especially when the couple had no remorse.
Sitting back in her chair, Anne glanced at the warm summer scenery outside of her window; how she longed to be anywhere but trapped inside dealing with these papers. The back of her neck ached and she rolled her neck trying to lessen the pain in hopes of getting through the papers quicker.
"Mister Cromwell to see you Your Majesty," Madge Shelton announced moving aside so that the man could enter the room, his dark robes sweeping in along with him as he entered Anne's presence chamber. A serious look on his face as he lowered himself into bow being careful not to drop any of the papers that he had brought with him that were in urgent need of Anne's attention.
"Mister Cromwell," Anne greeted standing from her chair and signalling for him to rise from his bow, she offered him a kind smile before offering him a seat at her table where she had been working. Things had been a lot smoother as of late between the two of them, Anne almost relieved that Cromwell saw things her way even if he didn't 100% agree with the direction that she was going. They were allies and Anne was very grateful for his council, she often did so especially when she disregarded her father and uncle's wishes during the council meeting.
"Your Majesty. News from Florence. The city is now under the control of the new Duke and Duchess," Cromwell began as he took a seat, he moved to set the papers upon the table while one of Anne's ladies moved to offer him refreshments. It was a warm day outside and Cromwell was grateful for the wine that was offered, he could not deny that the Queen had a good taste when it came to such things.
"The former Duke was murdered by one of his cousins if the reports are to be believed and his wife will be held to ransom as they did with the former Duchess of Milan," Cromwell continued once he had taken a sip of wine that had been offered to him. The cool liquid refreshing after he had walked the long corridors of the Palace so that he might bring the news to Anne of the recent developments.
"The Ambassador at the Spanish court writes that the Emperor is furious of such developments but still lacks the funds to launch an attack, although his situation has now grown more dangerous," Cromwell stated producing the recent correspondence that had arrived from the ambassador. It was not the most surprising news that had come his way that morning but it did boast his hopes that this war would be over before much longer.
Nine months into the war and Cromwell knew that the people had been pleased to hear of the successes that their King had brought them but the levy's to pay for it continued to raise so that their army had the funds it needed. Anne had been right to halt his plans, he understand now why she had done so even if he would never admit his mistakes; he understood that the people would have rioted by now if he had pushed his plans through.
"King Ferdinand has sided with the Alliance, although I am unsure of terms that have been made at this time but he has freed his imprisoned sister and fled from Spanish shores back to his own country," Cromwell informed Anne, no one could have suspected that Ferdinand would do such a thing and one could only hope that he was true to his word to fight against the injustices of his own brother. The Habsburgs seemed to be crumbling under their own rule, brother against brother, there was no telling how this war would end if the two Habsburg brothers came to blows.
"Keep me informed of such things, I am eager and willing to aid in the support of our alliances," Anne stated knowing that a further foothold in the Holy Roman Empire then it would perhaps bring this dreadful war to an end. Charles inaction would surely come to an end soon enough, Anne had no doubts that his brother's apparent betrayal would push him to act soon enough if the planned conquest of Naples didn't force him to act.
Cromwell nodded his head, he was well aware of Anne's correspondence to the other Queens in her situation; her letters with Queen Elisabeth of France being the most prevenient that she received. He hesitated for a moment to give Anne the next piece of news, Cromwell was unsure what to make of the news himself especially because of the trouble that Wyatt had almost caused for them all. His poems could have easily cast doubt on the paternity of Anne's three children; Alexander, Elizabeth and Beatrice were the heirs to the King's thrones and without them it would likely cause another cousins war.
"There was also news that Thomas Wyatt passed from his injuries sustained during the battle," Cromwell stated simply, the news having come from one of the King's secretaries that had travelled with him so that they might maintain his correspondence. A letter would have to be sent to his widow, a pension had been mentioned to support his family for his service to the crown.
Anne was silent for a moment, her heart pounded in her chest and she did her best to keep her face blank of any emotion that could be used against her in this situation. A small part of her did mourn the death of Wyatt, he might have been a thorn in her side but Anne had once counted him a friend, an ally in her early raise to the King's beloved.
"We must send our condolences to his wife and son," Anne stated calmly, she was sure that the news of Wyatt's death would come as a great shock to his wife and she could only hope that would put an end to the lies that Wyatt had spread. His poetry had once flattered her, as it would have any young lady of the court but his actions had been dangerous once she had become Queen and he didn't seem to realise that. Cromwell studied Anne's face for a brief moment for any emotion before he nodded his head and moved on to other business.
11th of August 1535 - Hofburg, Innsbruck
The small chapel held less than ten people as Eleanor of Austria walked in on her brother's arm, a dress borrowed from his wife had been willing given when Eleanor had announced her intentions upon arriving at Ferdinand's palace. If she was going to upset Charles then she was going to do it properly and deny him something that he had thought that he would one day control again.
Standing at the altar waiting for her to reach him was her beloved Frederick, a grin on his face as he watched her approach him and a light in his eyes that Eleanor had missed so much. The only thing missing was her beloved daughter but Eleanor hoped to fix that as soon as this war was over and it was safe for her to travel to see her.
It had been far too many years since Eleanor had set eyes upon Maria and Eleanor couldn't imagine how much her daughter had changed in that time when all they had to communicate were letters. The walk down the aisle seemed to take forever and Eleanor was relieved when they reached the priest; her eyes solely focused on the love of her life.
Ferdinand pressed a kiss to Eleanor's hand when he handed her off to her husband-to-be, a stern look offered Frederick before he stepped back to join his own wife as a witness to this marriage. His arm linking with Anne's as he looked down at her and shared a tender smile before turning his attention back to Eleanor's wedding. His mind drifting off as he thought about the alliance that he was agreeing to, he knew that his actions would never be forgiven by Charles but he could not allow him to continue.
Charles had proven that he was not going to stop his warmongering ways, he was too invested in the expansion of the Habsburg empire and creating great enemies as he went. His plans for France had been just the start and his meddling in the issues that their aunt had created in England had spelled disaster when he had invaded Rome to stop any chance of the Pope siding against them. It had been the beginning of the end for them, Ferdinand had seen that now and his brother's paranoia had only grown worse since then.
Charles saw his siblings as nothing more than pawns for his own use, it did not matter if they had their own lands or not; they were for his use and if they disappointed him then he cast them off or locked them away. Ferdinand felt rage when he thought about his own banishment from Spain at his brother's hands, for something that he'd had no part in and sent to a court where he did not even speak with language. He had been forced to think quickly on his feet, his eagerness for learning saving him from any further misfortune and Ferdinand was convinced that Charles had set him up to fail.
Then there was the imprisonment of Eleanor, she had done only as Charles had asked of her and yet that hadn't been enough for him. Charles saw enemies where there were none, his intentions of uniting the continent under his own rule would only end in more war and tragedy so he must be stopped. Ferdinand and Isabella had agreed on that point alone, that Charles could not be allowed to continue with his plans to unite Europe under his rule and his rule alone.
The Habsburg family would likely tear themselves apart fighting for the lands once Charles' passed from this world; Ferdinand had no doubts of that and he knew that he would be drawn into such a war with his relatives. It was better to deal with his brother now, with the support of the alliance rather than wait for Charles to do something that would have consequences for them all.
Ferdinand had discussed with his wife in private which of his daughters would be offered to the new Duke of Milan; Elizabeth and Anna having been singled out because they were his oldest two girls. They would be fine matches for young Charles and if Francis' plans were to be believed then he would make one of his daughters Queen of Naples through this match.
There was much still to be decided and Ferdinand did not blame the Alliance for being wary of such an offer; if Charles was any other way, then perhaps Ferdinand would be siding with him in all of this. However, Charles wanted to enforce Habsburg rule over everyone one way or another and Ferdinand knew that it would only end in the death.
I recommend Bed of Deceit by BellalunaMcKenzie, For Even as Love Crowns You by wizardfantasy and Sanctuary by Cattyfan. Also check out My Lord Husband,The Enemy by Esme24, That Subtle Wreath by EvilFluffyBiteyThing and its sequel, A Progress in Kent.
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